Digital Signage Player Management Software

Transcription

1 (1) Digital Signage Player Management Software Operating Instructions Before operating the software, please read this manual thoroughly and retain it for future reference. VSPA-D7 Version 1.00 and Later 2007 Sony Corporation

2 NOTICE TO USERS 2007 Sony Corporation. All rights reserved. This manual or the software described herein, in whole or in part, may not be reproduced, translated or reduced to any machine readable form without prior written approval from Sony Corporation. SONY CORPORATION PROVIDES NO WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR SUCH OTHER INFORMATION. IN NO EVENT SHALL SONY CORPORATION BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT, OR OTHERWISE, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL, THE SOFTWARE OR OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE USE THEREOF. Sony Corporation reserves the right to make any modification to this manual or the information contained herein at any time without notice. The software described herein may also be governed by the terms of a separate user license agreement. Material data used for content creation, such as video, graphics, and text, may be copyrighted. Unauthorized distribution and/or playout of such content may be contrary to the provisions of the copyright laws. Also, the system allows you to use the fonts installed on the PC to create text material. Such fonts are copyrighted. Authorization or right of transmission is required to use them for playout. Trademark Notice Microsoft, Windows, Windows Media, and Internet Explorer are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries/ regions. Adobe and Flash are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and other countries/regions. Magic Packet is a trademark of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Other system names, product names and company names appearing in this manual may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. In this manual such names are not indicated by or symbols. 2

3 Table of Contents Chapter 1 Overview Operational Flows...6 Upon System Installation... 6 During Routine Operation... 6 VSPA-D7 Features...7 Overview of the System... 7 Functions of the VSPA-D7 Software... 7 Materials that the VSPA-D7 Software can Handle... 7 VSPA-D7 Main Window...9 Chapter 2 Preparations Starting and Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software...12 Starting the VSPA-D7 Software Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software Setting Up...13 Creating Player Groups Selecting Materials to Be Used Setting Up the VSPA-D7 Software Selecting the Default Screen Layout Chapter 3 Basic Operations Registering and Creating Materials...17 Registering a Video, Graphics, Flash, or Audio File Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material Registering the URL of a Web Page Creating/Registering text material Creating Additional Control Commands Creating a Playlist...20 Creating an Extra Audio List...24 Creating a Schedule...25 Distribution...26 Distributing Schedules to Players Distributing Content to Players Controlling Playout...28 Table of Contents 3

4 Interrupting Playout Stopping Scheduled Playout Specifying a Screen Saver Specifying Substitute Graphics Replacing Materials Player Management...31 Adjusting the System Time of a Player Updating Player Software Obtaining the System Logs of Players Deleting Content from Players Chapter 4 Content Preparation The Add Content Window Set...34 Functions of the Add Content Window Set...36 Menus in the Content Management Window Chapter 5 Playout Sequence The Edit Playlist Window Set...40 Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set...42 Menus in the Content Management Window Menus in the Edit Playlist Window Menus in the View Layout Window The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set...45 Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set...47 Menus in the Content Management Window Menus in the Edit Extra Audio List Window Chapter 6 Schedule The Edit Schedule Window Set...49 Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set...52 Menus in the Content Management Window Menus in the Edit Schedule Window Menus in the View Schedule Window Table of Contents

5 Chapter 7 Distribution The Send Content Window Set...55 Functions of the Send Content Window Set...57 Menus in the Content Management Window Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window The Send Schedule Window Set...58 Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set...59 Menus in the Content Management Window Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window Menus in the Sending Status of Group Window Chapter 8 Other Operations The Interrupt Playback Window Set...61 Functions of the Interrupt Playback Window Set...62 Menus in the Content Management Window Menus in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status Window The Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set...63 Functions of the Delete Content from VSP-NS7 Window Set Menus in the Content Management Window The Maintenance Window Set...65 Functions of the Maintenance Window Set...66 Menus in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status Window Glossary...68 Index...70 Table of Contents 5

6 Chapter 1 Overview Overview Chapter1 This manual describes the functions of the VSPA-D7 Digital Signage Player Management Software. The VSPA- D7 software manages a system for playback of content using VSP-NS7 Digital Signage Players. Read the Setup Instructions and Operating Instructions of the VSP-NS7 player, too, for details on operations required during system installation. Operational Flows During Routine Operation The following flowchart shows an example of routine operation after you have finished system installation. Prepare materials Register video, graphics, Flash, and audio files. Register IP cameras as streaming material. Register web page URLs. Create or register text material. Upon System Installation The following flowchart shows an example of the operations required when the system is installed: Assign network address to VSP-NS7 Install VSP-NS7s and start the VSPA-D7 management software Perform the system setup Repeat for as many players as you are using For details on these setup operations, refer to the VSP- NS7 Setup Instructions. Create a playlist Add materials to a playlist according to the playback order. Specify a schedule Save the playlist Specify target player group. Specify time and period when the playlist is to be used. Create and save an extra audio list Add audio material to an extra audio list according to the playback order. Do not specify a schedule Save the playlist Register VSP-NS7 in the VSPA-D7 software Make detailed settings for VSP-NS7 and send the settings to the player Repeat for as many players as you are using Create a schedule Specify target player group. Add playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands to the schedule. Save the schedule Specify time and period when the schedule is to be used. Create a group Register VSP-NS7s in the group Repeat for as many groups as you want to create Distribution Distribute the schedule to the players. Materials and playlists are distributed simultaneously. Select the material to use, make any optional settings, and the standard display layout settings 6 Operational Flows

7 VSPA-D7 Features Overview of the System The Sony VSPA-D7 Digital Signage Player Management Software is designed to manage systems that distribute audio and visual content to Sony VSP-NS7 Digital Signage Players via a network and then play that content, such as sales promotional videos at stores or commercial videos in public places. The VSP-NS7 player is called a player in this manual. The VSPA-D7 software supports a wide range of display sizes and both landscape and portrait orientation of a display, which allows you to use the systems with the maximum layout flexibility. The main tasks of the VSPA-D7 software, such as registering materials, and creating playlists and schedules, can be performed by simple drag & drop operations. Functions of the VSPA-D7 Software The VSPA-D7 software provides the following functions: Making settings required for content distribution Registering the players and creating the required groups The players are grouped and registered according to the content they play, and the resolution and orientation (portrait or landscape) of the display device connected to the respective players. Time adjustment and other settings for players Registering materials to be played on a player Registering materials, such as video, graphics, and audio files, that have been created using other application software Registering Sony IP camera information when using streaming video from cameras Registering the URLs of web pages Creating and registering text material Registering control commands The VSPA-D7 software provides basic commands for the display connected to a player. You can also add control commands to adjust the audio volume of a player. Creating playlists and playback schedules for players Creating playlists Specifying combinations of the pieces of material to be played, their playout order, and layout settings. Creating extra audio lists Specifying the pieces of audio material to be played with playlists. Creating a schedule Listing playlists and extra audio lists, and specifying when they should be played Commands for display control or volume control can be listed on a schedule, too. A schedule can be created easily when saving a playlist, too. Distribution to a player Distribution of schedules Distribution of a schedule will automatically compare data stored on the players and required for playback of the schedule, then the VSPA-D7 will distribute missing data only. Interruption of playback Interrupting playback currently performed on the players to show newly distributed content. Checking distribution status System maintenance Checking the status of each player Power control or restarting of each player Collecting system logs from each player Updating internal programs of each player In addition to the above operations, the VSPA-D7 software also provides the capability to change the settings for VSPA-D7 configurations. Materials that the VSPA-D7 Software can Handle The VSPA-D7 software can handle the following materials: Video: MPEG2 program streams (MP@ML) and Windows Media Video MPEG4 live streaming video: a video stream from a Sony IP camera Graphics: Bitmap and JPEG files Web pages: Web pages can be displayed on the player by specifying the appropriate URLs. Flash files: Adobe Flash files Audio: Wave, Windows Media Audio and MP3 files Text: Captions that you create with the VSPA-D7 software by specifying the content, color, font, and other attributes. Text material will be converted to bitmap files before being sent to players. It is also possible to import a text or bitmap file as a piece of text material. You can use ordinary files created with conventional application software. Chapter 1 Overview VSPA-D7 Features 7

8 For details, including limitations on each type of material, select [Help] > [Specifications] on the VSPA-D7 menu bar, and see a specifications document. Chapter 1 Overview 8 VSPA-D7 Features

9 VSPA-D7 Main Window The following illustration shows an example of the VSPA- D7 main window. The Add Content window set is selected in this example. 1 Menu bar 2 Operation guide 3 Guidance message Chapter 1 Overview 4 Operation window area a Menu bar Provides menus for carrying out the tasks that are related to the entire range of VSPA-D7 operations. By selecting a menu item, commands contained in the selected menu are displayed. File menu Window menu Command Arrange Description Arranges the windows in the operation window area, according to the current size of the main window. Command Export VSPA-D7 Settings Exit Description Exports the VSPA-D7 setup data as a file with the specified name in the specified folder. This command is helpful when you use the VSPA-M7 monitoring software. Ends VSPA-D7 operations and closes the window. VSPA-D7 Main Window 9

10 Chapter 1 Overview Help menu Command VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions, VSPA-D7 Operating Instructions, Specifications, Error Code List Version Description Displays the corresponding document. Displays the version and serial numbers of the VSPA-D7 software. b Operation guide Provides buttons corresponding to the main tasks of the VSPA-D7 software. Selecting a button displays a set of windows used for the operation of the corresponding task in the operation window area. Notes The buttons contained in the operation guide vary, depending on the Content Setup settings. Buttons for setup operations may be hidden. Click the button to display them. Button Description Displays the Add Content window set. You can register or create material to be played on the players with this window set. Displays the Edit Playlist window set. You can create and edit playlists by specifying combination and playback order of the materials with this window set. Displays the Edit Extra Audio List window set. You can create and edit extra audio lists by specifying the playback order of audio material with this window set. This button appears only when the audio material is set to be used in the Content Setup window. It does not appear with the initial settings. Displays the Edit Schedule window set. You can create and edit playback schedules by listing playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands with this window set. Displays the Send Content window set. You can only distribute the selected pieces of material to players with this window set. This button appears only when the send content feature is enabled in the Options Setup window. It does not appear with the initial settings. Button Description Displays the Send Schedule window set. You can distribute the selected playback schedule together with the materials, playlists, and extra audio lists required for the playback to players with this window set. Displays the Interrupt Playback window set. You can stop scheduled playback being performed on players, and play the materials and/ or playlist distributed with this window set. When a text or audio item is used for interrupt playback, the scheduled playback will not stop. Only the pieces of text and/or audio material will be replaced with the newly distributed ones. Displays the window set for deleting content stored on players. You can check the items stored on the selected player, and delete unnecessary items with the window set. Displays a list of all players. You can check the errors that have occurred, and the remaining disk space of each player, or obtain system logs from each player on the list. Displays the System Setup window. This window provides setup items related to the entire system, such as the location where the content, schedule, and setup data is stored. Displays the VSP-NS7 Setup window. You can register the name and address of each player in the VSPA-D7 software in this window. Also, in this window, setup data related to player is transferred and set in each player. Displays the Group Setup window. The VSPA-D7 software groups the players to manage them. You can use the Group Setup window to create groups, and to specify group(s) to which each player should be added. Displays the Content Setup window. You can select materials used and not used in the system in this window. Displays the Options Setup window. This window provides setup items, such as the time of distribution from the VSPA-D7 to the players. Displays the Standard Layout Setup window. You can specify a default layout of materials on the display screen according to the resolution of the display. 10 VSPA-D7 Main Window

11 c Guidance message Provides an instructional message according to the operation currently being performed. d Operation window area Displays window sets, according to the selected operation guide button. In the example above, the button is selected, hence the Add Content window set is displayed. See chapter 4 and after for details on each window displayed in the operation window area. Chapter 1 Overview VSPA-D7 Main Window 11

12 Preparations Chapter2 Chapter 2 Preparations Starting and Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software Starting the VSPA-D7 Software Double-click the VSPA-D7 short-cut on the Windows desktop. Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software Click [File] > [Exit] on the menu bar of the main window. The VSPA-D7 main window closes, and the software terminates. If there is an unsaved playlist or schedule, the VSPA-D7 software asks you whether you want to save it. Save it, if necessary. The VSPA-D7 main window opens, allowing you to use the software. Provided distribution has been finished, content will be played automatically according to playlists and schedules, even after the VSPA-D7 software is terminated. Note Upon installation of the system, a unique network address should be assigned to each player, and the VSPA-D7 system setup items and those related to players should be configured. When you start the software for the first time after installation, the System Setup window appears automatically. Specify the items in the System Setup window, and then those in the VSP-NS7 Setup window. Refer to the Setup Instructions of the VSP-NS7 player for details on these setup operations. 12 Starting and Exiting the VSPA-D7 Software

13 Setting Up Besides the setup items described in the Setup Instructions, the following configuration operations should be done to operate this system: Creating player groups Selecting materials to be used Setting up the VSPA-D7 software Selecting the default screen layout Check the configurations, and modify them, if necessary. Creating Player Groups Shift key and click the first and last players in the range. 6 Click [Add >>]. The selected players appear on the VSP-NS7 within Selected Group list. Their names are displayed in gray on the All VSP-NS7s within System list. Players that are not registered in the selected group Chapter 2 Preparations The VSPA-D7 software manages the players classified into groups according to the content they play, and the screen resolution and orientation (portrait or landscape) of the displays connected to the respective players. Create groups and classify the players into groups in the Group Setup window. 1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 software to display the buttons related to setup operations. 2 Click the button. The Group Setup window appears. 3 Click [Add] in the Group Settings section. The Edit Group window appears. 4 Enter the name of the group, select the resolution using the Resolution drop-down list box, then click [OK]. The Edit Group window closes, and the group name entered appears in the Group drop-down list box of the Group Setup window. 5 Select the players to be registered in the created group in the All VSP-NS7s within System list. To select more than one player, hold down the Ctrl key and click the desired players. To select all players within a range, hold down the 7 Repeat steps 5 and 6 if there is a player to be registered in this group. To register players in a different group, select the desired group in the Group drop-down list box, and return to step 5. To create a new group, return to step 3. 8 After you finish registering the players in groups, click [OK]. The Group Setup window closes. Player registered in the selected group To remove a player from a group Select the group using the Group drop-down list box, select the player to be removed on the VSP-NS7 within Selected Group list, then click [<< Remove]. To modify a name and/or resolution Select the group using the Group drop-down list box, then click [Change]. This displays the Edit Group window. Modify the name and/or the setting of the resolution there, then click [OK]. To delete a group Select the group to be deleted using the Group dropdown list box, then click [Delete]. And then click [Yes] when a confirmation message is displayed. Setting Up 13

14 Selecting Materials to Be Used Setting Up the VSPA-D7 Software Chapter 2 Preparations By selecting material types in the Content Setup window, you can ensure that only the materials you need are displayed in the operation windows 1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 software to display the buttons related to setup operations. 2 Click the button. The Content Setup window appears. The Options Setup window provides miscellaneous setup items for the VSPA-D7 software, such as the time of data distribution from the VSPA-D7 software to the players. Setup procedure 1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 software to display the buttons related to setup operations. 2 Click the button. The Options Setup window appears. 3 Place check marks in the check boxes for the materials to be used, and clear the check boxes for the materials that you don t intend to use. Materials used for playlists Items Video Streaming Graphics URL Flash Text Materials used for schedules Items Audio Control 4 Click [OK]. Materials MPEG2 or Windows Media Video files MPEG4 live streaming video (Video from a Sony IP camera) BMP or JPEG files URLs of web pages Flash files created with Adobe Flash Captions created with the VSPA-D7 software Materials WAV, Windows Media Audio, or MP3 files Control commands for volume control of the players, and for an external device, such as a display device. The Content Setup window closes. 3 Modify the settings if necessary. See the following Items in the Options Setup window for details on each setup item. 4 Click [OK]. The Options Setup window closes. Items in the Options Setup window Start Index Specify the starting index number for each type of material that the VSPA-D7 software assigns automatically during material registration. Normally, you don t have to modify the settings. An index number consists of a single-digit number corresponding to the user code + a two- or three-digit number that indicates material type + a sequential number. 14 Setting Up

15 The sequential number increases by one as the pieces of material are registered. To use the same materials in a network shared folder from more than one computer installed with the VSPA-D7 software, assign an ID (a single-digit number from 0-9 ) to each computer in the User Code text box. This will assign different index numbers to the materials, playlists, and schedules depending on the computer that created or registered them, hence it reduces the risk of overwriting data. For example, specify the user code of the VSPA-D7 software on the first computer as 1, and the second as 2. The playlists created on the first one are indexed starting at , and those created on the second one are indexed starting at You will then know which one has created a certain playlist. Enable Timed Distribution The VSPA-D7 software enables you to specify the time of data distribution from the VSPA-D7 to the players. You can set the hours at night so that the data will not be sent in the daytime while network traffic is heavy. To use this feature, place a check mark in the check box, then specify the start time of distribution (24-hour system). When this feature is enabled, distribution does not start immediately when you request. The VSPA-D7 software starts processing of the requested distributions automatically, at the specified time. Enable [Delete Content from VSP-NS7] Place a check mark if you need to delete content stored on each player manually. Normally, it is recommended that you clear this check box, and enable the automatic deletion of content from the players feature in the System Setup window, so that content stored on each player will be deleted automatically after scheduled playout. Enable [Send Content] Place a check mark when you want to distribute materials that take long time for distribution, such as video, before a playback schedule is fixed, or when you distribute and specify a substitute image, that is a piece of graphics material to be played when normal content playback is impossible, or you distribute and specify a screen saver. Normally, clear this check box. The VSPA-D7 software automatically attaches the required materials when schedule data is distributed. This compares data to be distributed with data already stored on each player in advance, and distributes updated data only to enable efficient distribution. Video Thumbnail Position Specify the position within a video file that is to be used as its thumbnail picture of the file. Normally, the default setting 0 seconds will be all right. However, change the setting if you use video files that have black burst or color bar signal recorded at the top, so that the thumbnail pictures will represent the content of the video. Note Changing this setting does not affect the thumbnails for the files that has already been registered. Prohibit Network Communication Between Specify the time period (24-hour system) when you want to prohibit communication with the players. If you want to enable network communication all the time, specify the identical time in the two spin boxes. Selecting the Default Screen Layout Specify the default screen layout of materials, according to the resolution of the players. You can select one of the templates provided, or create a new template and select it. When you create a playlist, the default template will be applied to pieces of material on the playlist at first, but you can apply another template or specify layout for each playlist line. Setup procedure 1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 software to display the buttons related to setup operations. 2 Click the button. The Layout and Standard Layout Settings windows appear. Layout window Chapter 2 Preparations Setting Up 15

16 Standard Layout Settings window Chapter 2 Preparations 3 Select a resolution using the Resolution drop-down list box in the Standard Layout Settings window. 4 Select the desired template for the resolution selected in step 3, using the Template drop-down list box in the Standard Layout Settings window. The screen layout corresponding to the selected template is displayed in the Layout window. You can also create your own template. See Modifying Screen Layout on page 22 for details on template-related operations. 5 Click [OK]. The Layout and Standard Layout Settings windows close. 6 Repeat from step 2 to select the default screen layout for players with a different resolution. 16 Setting Up

17 Basic Operations 3 Chapter Registering and Creating Materials Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Add Content screen set. It consists only of the Content Management window. Materials to be played on the players should be registered or created in the Content Management window. See Content Management window on page 34 for details on each part of the Content Management window. Procedure for registering or creating materials varies, depending on the type. and click the desired files. To select all files in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last files in the range. 3 Move the selection to the Content Management window using a drag & drop operation. The dropped files are classified by types, copied to the VSPA-D7 database folders, and displayed in the Content Management window. To register files using a button on the toolbar 1 Select the tab of the desired type of material in the Content Management window. For example, select the Graphics tab to register still images. 2 Click the button on the toolbar. Chapter 3 Basic Operations Registering a Video, Graphics, Flash, or Audio File To use video, graphics, Flash, or audio content, register the files created using other programs. To register files using a drag & drop operation You can register more than one file, even if they are different types, simultaneously, as the VSPA-D7 software manages them using their file name extensions. Refer to the Specification document for details on the file types that can be registered in the system. To see the document, select [Help] > [Specifications] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window. 1 Open a Windows Explorer window, and locate the files to be registered. 2 Select the files to be registered. To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key, A window used for registration according to the type of material appears. 3 Specify the file(s) to be registered, then click [Open]. Note The selected file(s) is/are copied to the VSPA-D7 database folder, and displayed in the Content Management window. Upon registering files, the file names will be the titles of the registered material. To modify the title, use the button on the toolbar, or right-click the piece of material and select [Edit Type and Title] on the popup menu. Registering and Creating Materials 17

18 Chapter 3 Basic Operations Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material 1 Select the Streaming tab of the Content Management window. 2 Click the button on the toolbar. The Edit IP Camera Settings window appears. 3 Enter the following data in the respective fields, and click [OK]. Item Type Title IP Address HTTP Port User Password Description Type of the piece of streaming video material (up to 20 characters). Title of the piece of streaming video material (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, IP address: HTTP port will be the title. You can identify pieces of material by the type and title. The address of the IP camera from which video will be displayed as material. The port number used for communication with the IP camera. The user name to be used for communication with the IP camera, if assigned. The password corresponding to the user name described above. Note The URL entered is registered. The VSPA-D7 software allows you to specify the update interval of the displayed web page, and the amount of page shifting, so that the top and left area of the web page will not be displayed. To accomplish these tasks, right-click the desired URL data, and select [Option Settings]. Creating/Registering text material Specify the text, colors, font, size, and effects to be displayed to create text material. Hint Item Description Title Title of the registered web page (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the URL excluding will be the title. You can identify pieces of material by the type and title. Address The URL of the web page (up to 256 characters, including ). The VSPA-D7 software enables you to register a bitmap file instead of text as a piece of text material. See Registering a bitmap file as text material on page 19 for details. The information entered for the IP camera is registered as a piece of streaming video material. Registering the URL of a Web Page 1 Select the URL tab of the Content Management window. 2 Click the button on the toolbar. The Edit URL window appears. 3 Enter the following data in the respective fields, and click [OK]. 1 Select the Text tab in the Content Management window. 2 Click the button on the toolbar. The Edit Text window appears. Item Description Type Type of the registered web page (up to 20 characters). 3 Click [Properties] to open the Text Properties window. 18 Registering and Creating Materials

19 To import a text file, click [Read Text File] and specify the file. 7 Click [OK]. The newly created piece of text material appears in the Content Management window. Note 4 Specify the following properties, then click [OK]. The VSPA-D7 software enables you to change the text color and/or style, such as bold, italic, or underline. See When the Text tab is selected on page 36 for details. Item Type Title Effect Scroll speed Background color Base character color Description Type of the piece of text material (up to 20 characters). Title of the piece of text material (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the first 40 characters of the text will be the title. You can identify pieces of material by the type and title. Select the text display effect from the following: Constant: Displays stable text. Blink: Displays blinking text. Scroll: Makes text flow across the display from right to left. Select the speed of text flow, when you select Scroll for Effect. The square shows the current background color. To change it, click [Change Background Color] and select the desired color in the Edit Colors window. The background color cannot be changed partially. The square shows the current text color. To change it, click [Change Character Color] and select the desired color in the Edit Colors window. To change the color of text that has already been typed in the Edit Text window, right-click the text and select [Change Character Color]. The Text Properties window closes. Registering a bitmap file as text material Instead of typing text, the following procedure registers a bitmap file in the VSPA-D7 software as a piece of text material. This feature is useful when you would like to use a caption with special effects. Note There are some limitations that are different from those for bitmap files used as graphics material, for bitmaps files used as text material. For details on specifications and limitations on files to be used as text material, refer to the Specifications document. Select [Help] > [Specifications] on the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window. 1 In the Content Management window, select the Text tab. 2 Click the button on the toolbar. The Add Text Content window appears. 3 Select the files to be registered. You can register more than one file simultaneously. To select more than one file, hold down the Ctrl key and click the desired files in turn. To select all the files in a range, hold down the Shift key and click the first and last files in the range. Chapter 3 Basic Operations 5 Select the desired font and character size with the Font and Font Size drop-down list boxes in the Edit Text window. 6 Type the desired text. You can also copy text from another application program such as a word processor, and paste it in the Edit Text window by pressing the Ctrl+V keys. 4 Click [Open]. The Add Text Content window closes, and the new material is added in the Content Management window. The names of the files are shown as the titles. Registering and Creating Materials 19

20 5 Specify the properties, such as the type, title, and effect, for each piece of text material registered, if necessary. Creating a Playlist Chapter 3 Basic Operations Creating Additional Control Commands The VSPA-D7 software enables you to control the players and display devices; you can control items such as the sound volume control of the players or power-on/off of the display devices, by placing control commands in playback schedules. The control commands are provided by the VSPA-D7 software, but you can create new sound volume control commands. 1 In the Content Management window, select the Control tab. The control commands currently registered are listed. 2 Click the button on the toolbar. The Edit Control window appears. A playlist describes the order of material to be played on each layer on the players. A player automatically plays materials on the respective layers, according to the playlist. A player has five display layers, as illustrated below, and the materials, excluding audio and control materials, are played on the designated layers, respectively. Graphics 1 (2) Graphics 2 (4) Video (3) Text (5) Background (1) 3 Enter the following data in the respective fields, and click [OK]. Item Description Type Type of the registered web page (up to 20 characters). Title Title of the registered web page (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the specified volume setting will be the title. You can identify pieces of material by the type and title. Action Volume Control is displayed. It cannot be changed. Volume Select one in the drop-down list box. System Setting means the volume set in the Detailed Settings window opened from the VSP-NS7 Setup window. If you select User Define, enter the desired volume (%) in the text box displayed. The numbers in parentheses represent the order of overlay. Materials that appear on the same line of the playlist will be overlaid and played simultaneously on the players. A new playlist is created using the following procedure: Creating and editing a playlist 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Edit Playlist window set appears. It consists of the Content Management, Edit Playlist, and View Layout windows. A new control command is created and displayed in the Content Management window. 20 Creating a Playlist

21 2 Click the button on the Edit Playlist window toolbar. If the currently displayed playlist has not been saved, the VSPA-D7 software displays a message asking whether you want to discard it. Save the displayed playlist, if necessary. 3 Check the resolution displayed on the Edit Playlist window title bar. Change the target resolution, if necessary, by clicking the button. 4 Select a piece of material in the Content Management window, then add it to the playlist by a drag & drop operation. The layer (column) in which you drop the material is decided depending on the material and its purpose. Material Purpose Layer (Column) Video Video (with accompanying Video audio) Streaming MPEG4 streaming video Video from IP cameras Graphics Background, Wallpaper Background Graphics to be displayed Graphics 1 behind video Logo marks, Down-stream keying, Graphics to be displayed in front of video Graphics 2 URL Web pages Graphics 1 or Graphics 2 Flash Flash movies Graphics 1 or Graphics 2 Text Captions Text 5 Repeat step 4 to create the playlist. If necessary, edit the newly added event, for example, by modifying the duration of the event. See Menus in the Edit Playlist Window on page 43 for detailed information on playlist editing functions. To finish creating/editing of a playlist, save the playlist. You can either simply save it, or save it and simultaneously create a schedule using the playlist. Saving a newly created playlist Simply save the playlist when you intend to use an extra audio list and/or control commands in combination with the playlist. In this case, create a schedule, later, using the playlist. See Creating a Schedule on page 25 for details on creating a schedule. 1 Click the button on the toolbar of the Edit Playlist window. The Save Playlist window appears. Chapter 3 Basic Operations Hint When a material tab is selected in the Content Management window, the titles of the columns corresponding to the material appear white on dark gray, showing that the material on the tab can be dropped on those columns. The added material is displayed on the playlist. Although not shown on the playlist, the position and size data based on the standard layout template are added to the dropped material. You can view the specified layout in the View Layout window by clicking a line or cell of the playlist. To modify the layout, click [Change Layout] in the View Layout window. See Modifying Screen Layout on page 22 for detailed information on modifying the layout. 2 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the playlist to be saved. Select each text box, and enter the desired text. 3 Clear the Specify Schedule check box, then click [OK]. The playlist is saved. A message appears asking whether you want to clear the playlist currently displayed in the Edit Playlist window. 4 Click [Yes] to finish working with this playlist, or click [No] to continue working with this playlist. Creating a Playlist 21

22 Saving a newly created playlist, and then create a schedule using the playlist When you don t intend to use an extra audio list and/or control commands in combination with the playlist, it is recommended that you create a playout schedule upon saving a playlist, in the following procedure. 1 Click the button on the toolbar of the Edit Playlist window. The Save Playlist window appears. 2 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the playlist to be saved. Select each text box, and enter the desired text. The playlist is saved. A schedule and its associated data is created and saved, too. To play content using the created playlist on the players, distribute the schedule to the players using the Send Schedule window set. See Distributing Schedules to Players on page 26 for details on distributing schedules. When the playlist is saved, a message appears asking whether you want to clear the playlist currently displayed in the Edit Playlist window. 8 Click [Yes] to finish working with this playlist, or click [No] to continue working with this playlist. Chapter 3 Basic Operations 3 Place a check mark in the Specify Schedule check box, then specify the following items. Item Group Color 4 Specify the start and end times when the playlist should be played. Select the part to be modified in the Time spin box, then change the value using the up and down arrow buttons or enter the desired value. The playlist will be played repeatedly between the specified times. Hint Description The player group on which playback using this playlist will be performed. The color used for the created schedule in the windows of the Edit Schedule window set. The power-on time of the players is displayed above the Time spin boxes. 5 Specify the first and last days of the playback period of the playlist. Clicking the button of the drop-down list box displays a calendar. The date you click on the calendar will be specified in the drop-down list box. 6 Place check marks for the days in the Day of the Week check boxes to specify specific days of the week in the period. You can click each check box separately, or use the [Check All] or [Clear All] buttons. To use the created playlist only on Saturdays in a period, for example, click [Clear All], then click the Saturday check box. Modifying Screen Layout Screen layout, that is, a set of the sizes and positions of the materials on the display layers, is defined according to the selected template as the standard layout setup. You can check the layout in the View Layout window. The following procedure modifies layout settings. Note The size of the text layer does not change due to the layout settings. The layout settings only specify the position. Also, the background layer is always displayed in fullscreen size, hence you cannot modify its size and position. 1 In the Edit Playlist window, click the desired line or column. The View Layout window shows materials specified on the select line, just like they will be played on the player. 2 Click [Change Layout] to modify the layout settings. The Layout and Layout Setup windows appear. 3 Specify sizes and positions of the layers to be used. Do the following for each layer. Click a layer in the Layout window, then select a handle of the layer and drag it to the desired position and size. The values in the Layout Setup window change according to the position and size of the layer in the Layout window. 7 Click [OK]. 22 Creating a Playlist

23 setting does not work, as the VSPA-D7 software cannot recognize the size and shape of the original web page. 4 Click [OK] in the Layout Setup window. The position and size of each layer of the selected line are stored in the playlist, and the Screen Layout and Layout Setup windows close. Layout window Layout Setup window Handle Select the layer in the Screen Layout window, rightclick it, then select a size command, such as [Full- Screen Size], [Half-Screen Size on Left], [Quarter- Screen Size], or [Original Size]. Those size commands can be used for the Graphics 1, Graphics 2, and Video layers. However, if a web page is specified on the Graphics 1 or Graphics 2 layer, [Original Size] does not work, as the VSPA-D7 software cannot recognize the size of the web page. To apply layout settings of another template, select the desired one from the Template drop-down list box in the Layout Setup window. When you select one of the templates, the positions and sizes of the layers specified in that template will be applied. Change the values of the relevant text boxes in the Layout Setup window. Changing the values changes the position and/or size of the layer(s) accordingly. Place check marks in the Original Aspect Ratio check boxes in the Layout Setup window. When you click the layer in the Screen Layout window after placing a check mark for that layer, the aspect ratio of that layer returns to that of the original. Then, you can change the position or the size of the layer, while keeping that aspect ratio. The Original Aspect Ratio check boxes are provided for the Graphics 1, Graphics 2, and Video layers. However, if a web page is specified on the Graphics 1 or Graphics 2 layer, this Notes You cannot change the overlaid order of the layers. There are various limitations in the position and size of each layer of a player. After you finish creating a playlist, make sure to check if the materials are displayed as intended by previewing the playlist on a player. For information on how to preview a playlist, see Preview on VSP-NS7 command on page 44. Hints To return the modified settings to their original values, select Original Layout from the Template dropdown list box. This returns the layout settings to the ones previously saved in the playlist. You can save the modified screen layout settings as a new template here. Click [Save as New Template]. Chapter 3 Basic Operations Creating a Playlist 23

24 Creating an Extra Audio List 3 Select a piece of audio material in the Content Management window, then add it to the extra audio list by a drag & drop operation. The added material is displayed on the extra audio list. Chapter 3 Basic Operations An extra audio list describes the order of audio material to be played on the players. It will be used in combination with playlists when a playback schedule is created. Notes The button appears only when the audio material is set to be used in the Content Setup window. It does not appear with the initial settings. When both a playlist and extra audio list are specified to be played, sound accompanying video will not be output while separate audio material is played. However, sound accompanying Flash files and web pages will be mixed with audio material and output. When the microphone of the IP camera used is set to on, too, its sound will be mixed and output. A new extra audio list is created using the following procedure: 4 Repeat step 3 to create the extra audio list. If necessary, edit the newly added event, for example, by modifying the duration of the event. See Menus in the Edit Extra Audio List Window on page 47 for detailed information on extra audio list editing functions. 5 Click the button on the toolbar of the Edit Extra Audio List window. The Properties window appears. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Edit Extra Audio List window set appears. It consists of the Content Management and Edit Extra Audio List windows. 6 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the extra audio list to be saved, then click [OK]. Select each text box, and enter the desired text. The extra audio list is saved. Create a schedule for the playlist later, using the Edit Schedule window set. See Creating a Schedule on page 25 for details on creating a schedule. When the extra audio list is saved, a message appears asking whether you want to clear the extra audio list currently displayed in the Edit Extra Audio List window. 7 Click [Yes] to finish working with this extra audio list, or click [No] to continue working with this extra audio list. 2 Click the button on the Edit Extra Audio List window toolbar. If the displayed extra audio list has not been saved, the VSPA-D7 software displays a message asking whether you want to discard it. Save the displayed extra audio list, if necessary. 24 Creating an Extra Audio List

25 Creating a Schedule You can create a playback schedule in the Edit Schedule window, using playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands displayed in the Content Management window. A new playback schedule is created using the following procedure: Note When both a playlist and extra audio list are specified to be played, sound accompanying video will not be output while separate audio material is played. However, sound accompanying Flash files and web pages will be mixed with audio material and output. When the microphone of the IP camera used is set to on, too, its sound will be mixed and output. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Edit Schedule window set appears. It consists of the Content Management, Edit Schedule, and View Schedule windows. 4 Select a playlist, extra audio list, or control command in the Content Management window, then add it to the schedule by a drag & drop operation. The added list or command is displayed on the schedule. Hint Lines displayed in red in the Edit Schedule window indicate a time slot where the players are powered off. You cannot add playlists, extra audio lists, or control commands on these lines. 5 Repeat step 4 to create the schedule. If necessary, edit the newly added event, for example, by modifying the duration of the event. See Menus in the Edit Schedule Window on page 53 for detailed information on schedule editing functions. 6 Click the button on the toolbar of the Edit Schedule window. The Schedule Properties window appears. Chapter 3 Basic Operations 2 Select the player group for which you are going to create a schedule, using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. 3 Click the button on the Edit Schedule window toolbar. If the displayed schedule has not been saved, the VSPA-D7 software displays a message asking whether you want to discard it. Save the displayed schedule, if necessary. 7 Specify the type (up to 20 characters) and title (up to 40 characters) of the schedule to be saved. Select each text box, and enter the desired text. 8 Select the color to be used to display the created schedule, using the Color drop-down list box. 9 Specify the first and last days of the playback period of the schedule. Clicking the button of the drop-down list box displays a calendar. The date you click on the calendar will be specified in the drop-down list box. Creating a Schedule 25

26 Chapter 3 Basic Operations 10Place check marks for the days in the Day of the Week check boxes to specify specific days of the week in the period. You can click each check box separately, or use the [Check All] or [Clear All] buttons. To use the created schedule only on Saturdays in a period, for example, click [Clear All], then click the Saturday check box. 11Click [OK]. The schedule is saved. A message appears asking whether you want to clear the schedule currently displayed in the Edit Schedule window. 12Click [Yes] to finish working with this schedule, or click [No] to continue working with this schedule. Distribution Distributing Schedules to Players When the playlists and schedule have been created and the required materials are ready, distribute the created schedule to the players. All the content required for playback of the schedule, such as materials and playlists, are distributed, too, automatically. When you specified the time and period of playback at the end of editing a playlist, a schedule was automatically created, even though you did not edit it in the Edit Schedule window. Distribute an automatically created schedule in such a case, too. Hint The VSPA-D7 software never distributes data that has already been stored on the players, so that time and bandwidth will not be wasted. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Send Schedule window set appears. It consists of the Content Management, VSP-NS7 Status, and Sending Status of Group windows. 2 Select the player group to which you are going to distribute schedules, using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. The schedules created for the selected group are displayed. 3 Select the schedules to be distributed. To select more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key, and click the desired items. 26 Distribution

27 To select all items in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last items in the range. the Content Management and VSP-NS7 Status windows. 4 Click [Send]. The selected schedules are distributed to each player in the selected group. The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the VSP-NS7 Status window. The Sending Status of Group window shows the status of the entire group using background colors for dates on the calendar, so that you can see whether there is any day for which preparations of playback are not ready. For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the VSP-NS7 Status window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA- D7 main window. Distribution of schedules automatically powers the destination players on, when they are powered off, provided that the network connecting the PC and the players allows special data called Magic Packet. In this case, the players will not be powered off when distribution is completed. To cancel distribution Click [Cancel] in the VSP-NS7 Status window. Distributing Content to Players Normally, after the playlists and schedule have been created and the required materials have been made ready, the created schedules are distributed to the players, because this will automatically distribute all the content required for playback that has not yet been stored on the players, too. However, the VSPA-D7 software also enables you to distribute content, such as materials and playlists, to the players. This feature is helpful when you need to distribute material that takes long time for transfer, such as video, before a playout schedule is decided. Note Hints The Send Content window set is required to distribute content. To have this window set, place a check mark in the Enable [Send Content] check box in the Options Setup window. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Send Content window set appears. It consists of 2 Select the player group to which you are going to distribute content, using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. The player list of the selected group appears in the VSP-NS7 Status window. 3 In the Content Management window, select the desired tab, and select the content to be distributed. To select more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key, and click the desired items. To select all items in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last items in the range. 4 Click [Send]. The selected content is distributed to each player in the selected group. The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the VSP-NS7 Status window. Hints For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the VSP-NS7 Status window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA- D7 main window. Distribution of content automatically powers the destination players on, when they are powered off, provided that the network connecting the PC and the players allows special data called Magic Packet. In this case, the players will not be powered off when distribution is completed. To cancel distribution Click [Cancel] in the VSP-NS7 Status window. Chapter 3 Basic Operations Distribution 27

28 Chapter 3 Basic Operations Controlling Playout Interrupting Playout The VSPA-D7 software provides an interrupt playback function that distributes content, such as playlists or text, and ensures the distributed content is played immediately. This is helpful for urgent information, like a news flash. The operation performed on the players upon interrupt of playback varies depending on the type of interrupting content. In the case of text or audio material, the text or audio material contained in the ongoing playlist will be replaced with the interrupting content, but other playout of the current playlist continues. In the case of control commands, the selected control command will be performed on the players. In other cases, playout of the ongoing playlist will stop, and then, the selected interrupting content will be played instead. The following procedure interrupts playout. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Interrupt Playback window set appears. It consists of the Content Management and VSP-NS7 Communication Status windows. 4 Click [Play], or [Execute] in the case of a control command. When a control command is selected, the selected command is distributed to each player in the selected group, and executed on the player. When another type of content is selected, the Interrupt Playback window appears. (The following illustration shows an example for text material. The Position text box will not be shown in other types of material.) 5 Specify the following items in the Interrupt Playback window, then click [Play]. Item Play until [Stop] is selected Play for specified duration Position Description Interrupt playback will continue until [Stop] is clicked. Interrupt playback will be performed for the specified duration. Specify the duration with the Duration spin box. This appears only when text material is selected for interrupt playback. Specify the position (Y-coordinate) for the position where you want the top of a piece of text material to be located upon interrupt playback. The top of the screen is 0. The selected content is distributed to each player in the selected group, and played immediately. The content (except for a Flash file) is played repeatedly if interrupt playback continues longer than the length of the material or playlist. 2 Select the player group where you are going to interrupt playback, using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. The player list of the selected group appears in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. 3 In the Content Management window, select the desired tab, and select the content to be played. Hint The VSPA-M7 Digital Signage Monitoring Software enables you to view the status of interrupt playback on each player. 6 If you selected the Play until [Stop] is selected option button in step 5, click [Stop] in the Content Management window to stop interrupt playback. Note that, in this case, interrupt playback continues until you click [Stop], hence the scheduled playout does not resume automatically. 28 Controlling Playout

29 Stopping Scheduled Playout To stop ongoing scheduled playout, delete the schedule data being used from the players, using the following procedure: Note If the schedule to be deleted will be used for tomorrow and/or thereafter, distribute the schedule again, later. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Send Schedule window set appears. It consists of the Content Management, VSP-NS7 Status, and Sending Status of Group windows. 2 Select the player group where you are going to stop scheduled playout, using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. The schedules created for the selected group are displayed. 3 Select the schedule that is currently being used on the players in the group in the Content Management window. Note The Send Content window set is required to specify a screen saver. To have this window set, place a check mark in the Enable [Send Content] check box in the Options Setup window. 1 Create a playlist to be used for a user screen saver by adding graphics material to the Background layer. The playlist should have nothing added on the other layers. See Creating a Playlist on page 20 for details on creating a playlist. 2 Click the button of the operation guide. The Send Content window set appears. It consists of the Content Management and VSP-NS7 Status windows. 3 Select the player group for which you are going to specify a screen saver, using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. The player list of the selected group appears in the VSP-NS7 Status window. Chapter 3 Basic Operations 4 Click the button on the Content Management window toolbar. The selected schedule is deleted from each player in the selected group, and this results in scheduled playout being stopped. When scheduled playout stops, the specified screen saver will start playing. However, if there is another schedule for today on the players, playout of that schedule will start. Repeat the procedure to delete that schedule, if necessary. See Specifying a Screen Saver (next) for details on screen savers. 4 In the Content Management window, select the Playlist tab. 5 Right- click the created screen saver playlist, and select the [Send as User Screen Saver] on the popup menu. The selected playlist is distributed to each player in the selected group, and specified as the screen saver. The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the VSP-NS7 Status window. The selected playlist appears in blue in the Content Management window. In its Delete Date column, Dec. 31, 9999 is displayed, which means it will not be deleted automatically. Specifying a Screen Saver A player plays the specified screen saver playlist when it is powered on and there is no playout schedule at that time. Instead of the built-in screen saver provided upon shipment, you can specify a user screen saver playlist. A user screen saver playlist should consist of Graphics material on the Background layer. Hint For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the VSP-NS7 Status window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window. To cancel assignment of a screen saver Specify another playlist for the screen saver, or right-click any point on the Playlist tab in the Content Controlling Playout 29

30 Chapter 3 Basic Operations Management window, then select [Use Built-in Screen Saver]. Specifying Substitute Graphics The VSPA-D7 software enables you to specify substitute graphics, that is a piece of graphics material to be displayed instead of missing or erroneous material upon playout on a player. Notes Substitute graphics must be a JPEG file. Bitmap (bmp) files cannot be specified. The substitute graphics specified in this procedure will be displayed instead of missing video, graphics, or Flash materials that has been specified in a playlist. There is no method to provide a substitute for streaming, URL (web pages), and audio material. The Send Content window set is required to select a substitute graphics. To have this window set, place a check mark in the Enable [Send Content] check box in the Options Setup window. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Send Content window set appears. It consists of the Content Management and VSP-NS7 Status windows. Hint For detailed information on the error codes displayed in the VSP-NS7 Status window, refer to the Error Code List. To see the list, select [Help] > [Error Code List] from the menu bar of the VSPA-D7 main window. To cancel assignment of substitute graphics Specify another piece of graphics material to be used as substitute graphics, or right-click any point on the Graphics tab in the Content Management window, then select [Cancel Assignment of Substitute Graphics]. Replacing Materials Besides modifying a playlist, you can change playout content by replacing the piece of video, graphics, Flash, or audio material with another file, without modifying a playlist. This is particularly useful to update regularly changed content, such as weather maps and routine news clips. 1 Overwrite the file for the content to be replaced with a new file, by using Windows Explorer or another software application. The content files are stored in the respective material type folders in the VspaData folder. The VspaData folder is in the VSPA-D7 database folder that was specified upon installation. 2 Select the player group for which you are going to specify substitute graphics, using the Group dropdown list box in the Content Management window. The player list of the selected group appears in the VSP-NS7 Status window. 3 In the Content Management window, select the Graphics tab. 4 Right- click the item to be the substitute graphics, and select the [Send as Substitute for Missing Material] on the popup menu. The selected piece of graphics material is distributed to each player in the selected group, and specified as the substitute graphics. The result of distribution for each player can be checked in the VSP-NS7 Status window. The selected graphics item appears in blue in the Content Management window. In its Delete Date column, Dec. 31, 9999 is displayed, which means it will not be deleted automatically. Material Video Graphics Flash file Audio Folder Content\Video Content\Still Content\Flash Content\Audio For example, when you are replacing a graphics file with another one, and the VSPA-D7 database folder is C:\Documents and Settings, overwrite the file to be replaced that is stored in the C:\Documents and Settings\VspaData\Content\Still with the new file. Check the VSPA-D7 database folder in the System Setup window. 2 Distribute the replacement piece of material or a schedule in which the replacement piece of material is used to the players. See Distributing Content to Players on page 27 or Distributing Schedules to Players on page 26 for details on how to send material or a schedule. 30 Controlling Playout

31 Notes If you overwrite a video, Flash, or audio file with one whose duration is not the same as that of the original, it may not be fully played back, or a frozen picture and/or no sound may occur at the end upon playout on the players. Make sure that the duration of the original and the new files are identical. Be careful when overwriting a file, because, if the wrong file is overwritten, replacement will not yield the expected result. Player Management Adjusting the System Time of a Player On a player, scheduled playout is carried out to coincide with the system time of the player. Normally, the system times of all players are synchronized to the PC on which the VSPA-D7 is operating, or to an NTP server, hence you do not need to adjust the system times of the players manually. If the system time of your players is not specified to be synchronized to the PC or an NTP server, manually adjust the system times of the players regularly, using the following procedure: Notes Since adjusting the system time of a player restarts the player, do not use the following procedure when the player is playing content. This operation adjusts the system time of a player to the time of the PC on which the VSPA-D7 is operating. If the time of the PC is not correct, the adjusted time of the player will not be correct. It is recommended that you select the option that ensure the system time of the players will be automatically adjusted to the PC or an NTP server. Place a check mark in the Synchronize all VSP-NS7s system time with this PC s check box in the System Setup window, or place a check mark in the Adjust Time Using NTP check box in the Detailed Settings window and specify the address of an NTP server, then send the settings to each player. Chapter 3 Basic Operations Refer to the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Maintenance window set appears. The VSP- NS7 Communication Status window is displayed. Player Management 31

32 4 To update software for all players simultaneously, click [Update VSP-NS7] in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. To update software for an individual player, rightclick the desired player, then select [Update] on the popup menu. The Select File for VSP-NS7 Update window appears, in either case. Chapter 3 Basic Operations 2 Check the system time of each player in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. 3 Right-click the player for which you want to adjust the time, then select [Adjust Time] on the popup menu. A confirmation message appears. 4 Click [Yes]. Time information is sent from the PC to the selected player, and the system time of the player is adjusted. The player restarts. Right-click the player and select [Refresh Information], after restarting of the player, to check the adjusted system time. 5 Select the file obtained and stored in step 1, then click [Open]. The software of the player(s) is updated using the selected file. The result of data transfer, and the updated software version number can be checked in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. Updating Player Software When a new version of software for the players is released, you can distribute new software from the VSPA-D7 software to the players to update the players. 1 Obtain the file to be used for updating, and save it in a folder which can be accessed by the VSPA-D7 software. 2 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 operation guide. The Maintenance window set appears. The VSP- NS7 Communication Status window is displayed. 3 Check the version number of each player in the Version column in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. Obtaining the System Logs of Players When there is a problem with players or playout, you can fetch the system logs from players, in the following procedure, to solve the problem. 1 Click the button of the VSPA-D7 operation guide. The Maintenance window set appears. The VSP- NS7 Communication Status window is displayed. 2 To obtain system logs from all the players, click [Get System Logs] in the VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. To obtain a system log from a single player, right-click the desired player, then select [Get System Logs] on the popup menu. 32 Player Management

33 Note that, when there is a large number of players, obtaining system logs from all the players may take an extremely long time, and may affect operation of the VSPA-D7 software. The system log recorded on the selected player or all players in the system is transferred to the PC, and stored as a file on the Windows desktop. When obtaining system logs is completed, a message appears. 3 Click [OK]. Deleting Content from Players The following procedure removes content, such as materials, playlists, and schedules from the selected player. Note Note Normally, it is recommended you select the automatic deletion option with which content on players will be deleted automatically when they become unnecessary for scheduled playout. To select this option, enable the automatic deletion of content from the players feature in the System Setup window, then send the settings to each player. 2 Select the tab corresponding to the type of content to be deleted. For example, select the Playlist/Extra Audio List tab to delete playlists. 3 Select the player from which you are going to delete content, using the VSP-NS7 drop-down list box, then click [Refresh]. The list shows the content stored on the selected player, after a progress window is displayed. 4 Select the items to be deleted. To select more than one item, hold down the Ctrl key, and click the desired items. To select all items in a range, hold down the Shift key, then click the first and last items in the range. 5 Right- click the selection, then select [Delete] on the popup menu. Or press the Delete key on the keyboard. A confirmation message appears. 6 Click [Yes]. A progress window appears, then the selected content is deleted from the player. Clicking [Cancel] stops deleting content from the player. However, it cannot undo deleting that has already been done. Chapter 3 Basic Operations Refer to the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details. 1 Click the button of the operation guide. The Delete Content from VSP-NS7 window set appears. Note that the displayed Content Management window shows content stored on the selected player, not on the PC. Note The VSPA-D7 software allows you to delete even the schedules, playlists, and materials required for playout. Make sure not to delete items you need for playout. Also, note that proper operation is not guaranteed if you delete content that is currently being used for playout. Player Management 33

34 Content Preparation Chapter4 The Add Content Window Set Chapter 4 Content Preparation Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Add Content window set. The following illustration shows an example of the Add Content window set. It consists only of the Content Management window. Content Management window Content Management window Shows materials that are registered in the VSPA-D7 software on the tabs according to material types. This window also enables you to register new materials. The Video and Graphics tabs have two views: a thumbnail view that shows images of materials, and a list view. The illustration above is an example of the thumbnail view. The Content Management window consists of the following three parts. Note that the following illustration shows an example of the list view. 34 The Add Content Window Set

35 1 Toolbar 2 Tabs Button Description Starts previewing of the selected piece of material. When the Control tab is selected it will carry the selected control command out on the player for previewing. Stops previewing. 3 Content list b Tabs Tabs are provided for respective types of materials. Selecting a tab lists material of the selected type on the content list. a Toolbar Provides buttons corresponding to the functions related to material registration and previewing. There are two types of toolbar, depending on the selected type of material. Some buttons will only be shown on particular tabs. On the Video, Graphics, Flash, or Audio tab Button Description Opens a window for registering new pieces of material. Selects the thumbnail view. Selects the list view. Deletes the selected piece of material. Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected piece of material. Opens the Select VSP-NS7 for Preview window for selecting a player as a preview device. Starts previewing of the selected piece of material. Stops previewing. On the Streaming, URL, Text, or Control tab Button Description Opens a window for creating a new piece of material. Opens a window for modifying the selected piece of material. Opens a window for registering an image file as a piece of text material. Deletes the selected piece of material. Opens the Select VSP-NS7 for Preview window for selecting a player as a preview device. Note The tabs displayed in the Content Management window vary, depending on the content setup of the VSPA-D7 software. See Selecting Materials to Be Used on page 14 for details. c Content list Shows material registered in the VSPA-D7 software. The displayed columns may vary, depending on the selected tab. At first, the items are listed in the order of the index numbers. Clicking one of the column headings, such as Type or Title sorts data items in the order of the selected column. The width of each column of the list can be modified, by clicking a dividing line to select it, then dragging it with the mouse. The content list allows you to select the columns to be displayed. Right-clicking the heading row displays a menu of the column headings. You can show or hide columns by selecting or deselecting column headings. Hint You can select the thumbnail view on the Video or Graphics tab, so that you can easily recognize each piece of material. In the thumbnail view, information on each piece of material pops up when you point to a thumbnail with the mouse pointer. When you are going to perform an operation with a piece of material on the list, first select the desired piece of material, then use one of the buttons on the toolbar. Or, right-click the desired item, and select the desired command on the popup menu. What is Delete Date? A date of deletion will be assigned to each piece of content upon distribution, and displayed in the Content Chapter 4 Content Preparation The Add Content Window Set 35

36 Chapter 4 Content Preparation Management window. When the automatic deletion of content from the players feature in the System Setup window is enabled, the content will be deleted from the players automatically on the date displayed, so that the hard disk drive of the players will not be full of unneed material. Normally, no operation for delete date is required, but the delete dates can be specified manually when: you want to use a piece of material only in a certain period. However, the manually specified delete date may be modified by the system, when the piece of material is used in a schedule for a later date, for example. you want to keep a piece of material on the hard disk of each player. You can make the delete date the 31st of December, 9999 so that players never delete the content. you want to clear the delete date specified before, or change the delete date from the 31st of December, 9999 to any other date, so that the piece of material will be deleted from players. See Change Delete Date command on page 38 for details. Note When you specify a delete date to a piece of material manually, the VSPA-D7 software only allows you to specify a date 30 days, or later, from today. Functions of the Add Content Window Set Menus in the Content Management Window Right-clicking in the Content Management window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use in the window. The menu varies, depending on the selected tab, but the following commands are contained in the menu. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the Content Management window toolbar. New command Appears when the Streaming, URL, Text, or Control tab is selected. It opens a window in which you can create a new piece of material of the selected type. When the Text tab is selected The New command displays the Edit Text window. There are the following buttons and items in the window. Enter text or read a text file in this window, and click [OK] to create a piece of text material. Item Description Properties button Opens the Text Properties window. See Creating/Registering text material on page 18 for details on the Text Properties window. Read Text File button Font drop-down list box Font Size dropdown list box Opens the Read Text File window. When you have a text file in which text to be displayed is stored, specify the file in the Read Text File window, then click [Open]. This will display the text stored in the file in the Edit Text window. Selects the font to be used for displaying the text material. Selects the font size to be used for displaying the text material. 36 Functions of the Add Content Window Set

37 Also, right-clicking characters in the Edit Text window displays a context-menu that consists of the following commands. Use these commands to edit text material. Command Undo Cut Copy Paste Delete Change Character Color Font Style Select All Description Cancels the last edit operation in the Edit Text window. Moves the selected characters to the Windows Clipboard, and deletes them from the Edit Text window. Copies the selected characters to the Windows Clipboard. Pastes the characters stored in the Windows Clipboard to the selected position. Deletes the selected characters. Opens the Text Color Settings window for specifying a color for the selected characters. Assigns a style, such as bold or italic to the selected characters. Choose the style from the sub menu. Selects all characters in the Edit Text window. See Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material on page 18, Registering the URL of a Web Page on page 18, and Creating Additional Control Commands on page 20 for details on how to create a new piece of those materials. Edit command Appears when the Streaming, URL, Text, or Control tab is selected. It opens a window in which you can edit the selected piece of material. For editing operations, see Registering an IP Camera as Streaming Video Material on page 18, Registering the URL of a Web Page on page 18, Creating/Registering text material on page 18, and Creating Additional Control Commands on page 20. The following items for web page material can be specified in the Option Settings window. Item Shift Amount (X and Y)* No Preload Interval Description Specifies the upperleft corner position (unit: pixels) of the portion to be displayed on the web page. Specifies whether a player should access the web page before the specified playout time to obtain data. Normally, this option is not checked, and a player will access the web page approx. four seconds before the playout start time, so that it will be able to display the web page from the specified start time. However, when the web page uses sound or a Flash movie, the sound or Flash movie will start from the time accessed (approx. four seconds) before the specified start time. Check the No Preload option to avoid this. The player will access the web page at the playout start time, when the option is checked. Specifies the interval at which a player will access the web page and update display. Specify an appropriate interval for a web page that changes regularly, such as a weather map or traffic information. * Specify the Shift Amount to move the origin of a web page, when you want to display only the main part of the page, without its upper and/or left part, such as a navigator for the web site. Specifying 100 pixels as the shift amount for both X and Y respectively, for example, crops 100 pixels each from the top and from the left side of the web page when it is displayed. Chapter 4 Content Preparation Option Settings command Appears when the URL tab is selected. It opens the following Option Settings window for the selected piece of web page material. Functions of the Add Content Window Set 37

38 Cropped 100 pixels It opens the following Change Delete Date window in which you can specify a date when the selected material will be deleted automatically from players. Chapter 4 Content Preparation 100 pixels Note The displayed web page will shift only when the web page is larger than the size of the graphics layer on which the web page is displayed. For example, when the web page is 400 x 400 pixels and a graphics layer is 300 x 300 pixels, the maximum shift possible for this web page is 100 pixels for both the X- and Y-coordinates, even if you specify a larger number. To shift the page more, in such a case, make the graphics layer size smaller for the event on the playlist. And, note that a web page will not shift if you specify a URL corresponding to a frame set. HTML structure issues cause this. Specify the URL corresponding to the desired frame, instead. Hint Double-clicking a registered web page in the Content Management window starts the web browser associated with web pages, such as Internet Explorer, and displays the selected web page. Delete command Appears on any tab. It deletes the items selected in the Content Management window. When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the item(s). Change Type and Title command Appears on any tab. It opens the Properties window in which you can edit the type and/or title for the selected material. Enter the desired text in the Type and Title text boxes, and click [OK.] Change Delete Date command Appears on any tab. Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK]. When you select Clear Date, the Delete Date specified for the selected material, if any, will be cleared. When you select Change Date, specify a date using the Delete Date drop-down list box, which appears on the right. Note Note that, the delete date setting is effective only if the automatic deletion of content from the players feature is enabled in the System Setup window, and this setting has been sent to the players. See the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details on this option. View command Appears when the Video or Graphics tab is selected. It selects the content list view, the thumbnail view, or the list view. When you select this command, a sub menu containing [List] and [Thumbnail] appears. Select the desired command. Preview on VSP-NS7 command Appears on any tab except the Control tab. It sends the selected material to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it. Check the playback on the display device connected to the player. Note This command is not available until one of the players has been specified as the preview device. Click the button on the toolbar to specify a preview device. Stop command Appears on any tab except the Control tab. It stops ongoing previewing. 38 Functions of the Add Content Window Set

39 Execute command Appears when the Control tab is selected. It sends the selected control command to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and executes the command on it. Chapter 4 Content Preparation Functions of the Add Content Window Set 39

40 Playout Sequence Chapter5 The Edit Playlist Window Set Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Edit Playlist window set. The following illustration shows an example of the Edit Playlist window set. It consists of the Content Management window, Edit Playlist window, and View Layout window. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence Content Management window Edit Playlist window View Layout window Content Management window The Content Management window in the Edit Playlist window set has a Playlist tab, in addition to the same tabs that appear in the identical window in the Add Content window set. The window shows materials that are registered in the VSPA-D7 software on the tabs according to the material types. This window also enables you to register new materials. The Playlist tab of the window enables you to select a playlist to edit, or copy a playlist to have a base for a new playlist. See Content Management window on page 34 for details on the material tabs, not the Playlist tab. 40 The Edit Playlist Window Set

41 Toolbar for the Playlist tab The toolbar contains the following buttons when the Playlist tab is selected. a Toolbar Provides the following buttons that correspond to the functions related to playlist editing. Button Description Displays content of the selected playlist in the Edit Playlist window to edit it. Deletes the selected playlist. Button Description Clears the displayed playlist and starts creating a new playlist. Saves the displayed playlist. Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected playlist. Copies the selected playlist to the Windows Clipboard. Pastes a playlist stored on the Windows Clipboard as a new playlist. By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new playlist based on an existing playlist. Opens the Select VSP-NS7 for Preview window for selecting a player as a preview device. Starts previewing of the selected playlist. Stops previewing. Playlist tab Lists the existing playlists. There is a Resolution column on the list, so that you can see which playlist has been created for which player groups. Edit Playlist window The Edit Playlist window is used to create and edit playlists, by adding materials, in the order of playout, into the columns corresponding to the display layers of players. When editing an existing playlist, the content of the playlist selected in the Content Management window is displayed in this window. The Edit Playlist window consists of the following three parts: 1 Toolbar Saves the displayed playlist as a new one, with a new index number. The Save Playlist window appears when this button is clicked. Opens the Resolution Setting window to select the resolution of the target players. Opens the Change Default Duration window in which you can specify default duration for material that doesn t have a specific duration, such as graphics. When such a piece of material is added to a playlist, the specified duration will be assigned temporarily. Opens the Select VSP-NS7 for Preview window for selecting a player as a preview device. Starts previewing of the displayed playlist. Stops previewing. b Playlist information Shows the index number, title, and the current total playout duration of the displayed playlist. The resolution of the target players of the playlist is displayed on the title bar of the Edit Playlist window. c Playlist A playlist is a list of materials arranged as events in layer columns such as Background, and Video, in the order of playout. In each cell in which a piece of material is specified as an event, its title is displayed. When you move the mouse pointer over a title, a popup window showing the index, type, title, and duration of the event appears. The Start Time column shows the start time of each event. Events on the same line will start playing simultaneously. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence 2 Playlist information 3 Playlist To create a playlist, drag the desired pieces of material from the Content Management window and then drop them onto the list. To modify the start time or delete an event, right-click the desired event and then select the desired command from the popup menu. The Edit Playlist Window Set 41

42 View Layout window The View Layout window displays the screen layout of the selected line of the playlist shown in the Edit Playlist window. You can view how the specified events will be combined and displayed on a player. For example, if a line of a playlist on which background, video, and text events are specified is selected, the screen layout of these three items is shown, just as they will be displayed on a player. If necessary, click [Change Layout] and modify the layout. The View Layout window consists of the following three parts: 1 Time indication 2 Change Layout button Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set Menus in the Content Management Window Right-clicking on the Playlist tab of the Content Management window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for a playlist. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the Content Management window toolbar. See Menus in the Content Management Window on page 36 for details on the menus when a tab for material is selected. Edit command Displays the content of the selected playlist in the Edit Playlist window for editing. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence 3 Layout indication a Time indication Shows the start time of the line selected in the Edit Playlist window. b Change Layout button Opens the Layout and Layout Setup windows to modify the layout of the events on the line selected in the Edit Playlist window. See Modifying Screen Layout on page 22 for details on modifying the layout. Delete command Deletes the selected playlist. When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the playlist. Change Delete Date command Opens the following Change Delete Date window in which you can specify a date when the selected playlist will be deleted automatically from players. c Layout indication Shows how the events specified on the selected line will be combined and displayed on a player. Click [Change Layout] to modify the layout. Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK]. When you select Clear Date, the Delete Date specified for the selected playlist, if any, will be cleared. When you select Change Date, specify a date using the Delete Date drop-down list box, which appears on the right. Note Note that, the delete date setting is effective only if the automatic deletion of content from the players feature is enabled in the System Setup window, and this setting has been sent to the players. 42 Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set

43 See the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details on this option. Copy command Copies the selected playlist to the Windows Clipboard. Save with New Index command Saves the displayed playlist as a new one, with a new index number. When this command is selected, the following Save Playlist window appears. Specify each item in the window, and click [OK]. Paste command Pastes the playlist stored on the Windows Clipboard to the Content Management window as a new playlist. By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new playlist based on an existing playlist. Preview on VSP-NS7 command Sends the selected playlist to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it. Check the playback on the display device connected to the player. Note This command is not available until one of the players has been specified as the preview device. Click the button on the toolbar to specify a preview device. Stop command Stops ongoing previewing. Menus in the Edit Playlist Window Right-clicking in the Edit Playlist window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for the displayed playlist. New - Clear command Clears the displayed playlist to start creating a new playlist. If the currently displayed playlist has not been stored, a message appears, asking whether you want to discard it. Save the playlist, if necessary. See Creating a Playlist on page 20 for details on creating a new playlist. Save command Saves the displayed playlist with the same index number as before. Item Description Type text box Type of the created playlist (up to 20 characters). It will be left blank if you don t enter any text. Title text box Title of the created playlist (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the date and time when the playlist is saved will be the title. You can identify playlists by the type and title. Specify Schedule check box Group dropdown list box Color drop-down list box Time and Period Day of the Week check boxes The setting for whether the playout schedule using the playlist to be saved should be created, too. To create a schedule, place a check mark here, and specify the items below. The player group on which playout using this playlist will be performed. The color used for the created schedule in the windows of the Edit Schedule window set. Period and time when the created playlist will be used for playout. Day(s) of the week in the specified period on which the created playlist will be used for playout. Undo command Cancels the last edit operation in the Edit Playlist window. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set 43

44 Cut command Moves the selected line or event to the Windows Clipboard and removes it from the playlist. Copy command Copies the selected line or event to the Windows Clipboard. Paste command Pastes the line or event stored on the Windows Clipboard to the specified position. Note A cut or copied line or event should be pasted on the same layer. For example, an event cut or copied from the Graphics 1 layer cannot be pasted on the Background or Graphics 2 layer. Change Layout command Opens the Layout and Layout Setup windows to modify layout of the events on the line selected in the Edit Playlist window. See Modifying Screen Layout on page 22 for details on modifying a layout. Preview on VSP-NS7 command Sends the displayed playlist to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it. Check the playback on the display device connected to the player. Note This command is not available until one of the players has been specified as the preview device. Click the button on the toolbar to specify a preview device. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence Clear Content command, Delete command Both commands delete the selected line or event from the playlist. The Clear Content command leaves the blank resulting from the deletion as it is, but the Delete command moves the lines/events below upwards, so that there will be no blank. Insert command Opens the Insert window. Specify a duration in the Insert window, and click [OK]. This will insert a blank line or cell of the specified duration before the selected line or event. Stop command Stops ongoing previewing. Menus in the View Layout Window There are no menus provided in the View Layout window. Change Start Time command, Change End Time command Opens the Change Start Time window or Change End Time window. Specifying the desired time in the window and clicking [OK] sets the start time or end time of the selected event to that time. Change Duration command, Change Interval command The Change Duration command opens the Change Duration window to modify the playout duration of the selected event. In the same way, the Change Interval command modifies the duration of a blank cell between two events on the same layer, or a blank line. 44 Functions of the Edit Playlist Window Set

45 The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Edit Extra Audio List window set. Note The button appears only when audio material is set to be used in the Content Setup window. It does not appear with the initial settings. The following illustration shows an example of the Edit Extra Audio List window set. It consists of the Content Management window and Edit Extra Audio List window. Content Management window Edit Extra Audio List window Chapter 5 Playout Sequence Content Management window The Content Management window in the Edit Extra Audio List window set has an Extra Audio List tab, in addition to the Audio tab. The window shows audio material registered in the VSPA- D7 software, and extra audio lists already created on the respective tabs. The Extra Audio List tab of the window enables you to select an extra audio list to edit, or copy an extra audio list to have a base for a new list. See Content Management window on page 34 for details on the Audio tab. Toolbar for the Extra Audio List tab The toolbar contains the following buttons when the Extra Audio List tab is selected. Button Description Displays the content of the selected extra audio list in the Edit Extra Audio List window to edit it. Deletes the selected extra audio list. Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected extra audio list. Copies the selected extra audio list to the Windows Clipboard. Pastes the extra audio list stored on the Windows Clipboard as a new extra audio list. By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new extra audio list based on an existing list. Opens the Select VSP-NS7 for Preview window for selecting a player as a preview device. Starts previewing of the selected extra audio list. The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set 45

46 Button Description Stops previewing. b List information Shows the index number, title, and the current total playout duration of the displayed extra audio list. Playlist tab Lists the existing extra audio lists. Edit Extra Audio List window The Edit Extra Audio List window is used to create and edit extra audio lists, by adding audio material, in the order of playout. When editing an existing extra audio list, the content of the extra audio list selected in the Content Management window is displayed in this window. The Edit Extra Audio List window consists of the following three parts: c Extra audio list A extra audio list is a list of audio material arranged as events in the order of playout. In each cell in which a piece of audio material is specified as an event, its title is displayed. When you move the mouse pointer over a title, a popup window showing the index, type, title, and duration of the event appears. The Start Time column shows the start time of each event, assuming the first event starts from 00:00:00. To create an extra audio list, drag the desired pieces of audio material from the Content Management window and then drop them onto the list. To modify the start time or delete an event, right-click the desired event and then select the desired command from the popup menu. 1 Toolbar Chapter 5 Playout Sequence 2 List information 3 Extra audio list a Toolbar Provides the following buttons that correspond to the functions related to extra audio list editing. Button Description Clears the displayed extra audio list and starts creating a new list. Saves the displayed extra audio list. Saves the displayed extra audio list as a new one, with a new index number. The Properties window appears when this button is clicked. Opens the Select VSP-NS7 for Preview window for selecting a player as a preview device. Starts previewing of the displayed extra audio list. Stops previewing. 46 The Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

47 Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set Menus in the Content Management Window Right-clicking on the Extra Audio List tab of the Content Management window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for an extra audio list. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the Content Management window toolbar. See Menus in the Content Management Window on page 36 for details on the menus when the Audio tab is selected. Edit command Displays the content of the selected extra audio list in the Edit Extra Audio List window for editing. Delete command Deletes the selected extra audio list. When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the extra audio list. Change Delete Date command Opens the following Change Delete Date window in which you can specify a date when the selected extra audio list will be deleted automatically from players. enabled in the System Setup window, and this setting has been sent to the players. See the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details on this option. Copy command Copies the selected extra audio list to the Windows Clipboard. Paste command Pastes the extra audio list stored on the Windows Clipboard to the Content Management window as a new extra audio list. By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new extra audio list based on an existing list. Preview on VSP-NS7 command Sends the selected extra audio list to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it. Check the sound from the speakers connected to the player. Note This command is not available until one of the players has been specified as the preview device. Click the button on the toolbar to specify a preview device. Stop command Stops ongoing previewing. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK]. When you select Clear Date, the Delete Date specified for the selected extra audio list, if any, will be cleared. When you select Change Date, specify a date using the Delete Date drop-down list box, which appears on the right. Note Note that, the delete date setting is effective only if the automatic deletion of content from the players feature is Menus in the Edit Extra Audio List Window Right-clicking in the Edit Extra Audio List window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for the displayed extra audio list. New - Clear command Clears the displayed extra audio list to start creating a new extra audio list. If the currently displayed extra audio list has not been stored, a message appears, asking whether you want to discard it. Save the list, if necessary. See Creating an Extra Audio List on page 24 for details on creating a new extra audio list. Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set 47

48 Save command Saves the displayed extra audio list with the same index number as before. Save with New Index commands Saves the displayed extra audio list as a new one, with a new index number. When this command is selected, the following Properties window appears. Specify each item in the window, and click [OK]. The Clear Content command leaves the blank resulting from the deletion as it is, but the Delete command moves the lines/events below upwards, so that there will be no blank. Insert command Opens the Insert window. Specify a duration in the Insert window, and click [OK]. This will insert a blank line or cell of the specified duration before the selected line or event. Change Start Time command, Change End Time command Opens the Change Start Time window or Change End Time window. Specifying the desired time in the window and clicking [OK] sets the start time or end time of the selected event to that time. Chapter 5 Playout Sequence Item Type text box Title text box Description Type of the created extra audio list (up to 20 characters). It will be left blank if you don t enter any text. Title of the created extra audio list (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the date and time when the extra audio list is saved will be the title. You can identify extra audio lists by the type and title. Undo command Cancels the last edit operation in the Edit Extra Audio List window. Change Duration command, Change Interval command The Change Duration command opens the Change Duration window to modify the playout duration of the selected event. In the same way, the Change Interval command modifies the duration of a blank cell between two events, or a blank line. Preview on VSP-NS7 command Sends the displayed extra audio list to the player that has been specified as the preview device, and starts previewing it. Check the sound from the speakers connected to the player. Cut command Moves the selected line or audio event to the Windows Clipboard and removes it from the extra audio list. Copy command Copies the selected line or event to the Windows Clipboard. Paste command Pastes the line or event stored on the Windows Clipboard to the specified position. Clear Content command, Delete command Both commands delete the selected line or audio event from the playlist. Note This command is not available until one of the players has been specified as the preview device. Click the button on the toolbar to specify a preview device. Stop command Stops ongoing previewing. 48 Functions of the Edit Extra Audio List Window Set

49 Schedule 6 Chapter The Edit Schedule Window Set Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Edit Schedule window set. The following illustration shows an example of the Edit Schedule window set. It consists of the Content Management window, Edit Schedule window, and View Schedule window. Content Management window Edit Schedule window Chapter 6 Schedule View Schedule window Content Management window The Content Management window in the Edit Schedule window set shows the playlists, extra audio lists, control commands, and created schedules on the respective tabs. Also, this window provides a Group drop-down list box at the top. When you select a group with this drop-down list box, the schedules created for the selected group are shown on the Schedule tab. The Schedule tab enables you to select a schedule to edit, or copy a schedule to have a base for a new schedule. See Content Management window on page 34, Content Management window on page 40, and Content Management window on page 45 for details on The Edit Schedule Window Set 49

50 tabs other than the Schedule tab of the Content Management window. 1 Toolbar Toolbar for the Schedule tab The toolbar contains the following buttons when the Schedule tab is selected. Chapter 6 Schedule Button Description Displays the content of the selected schedule in the Edit Schedule window to edit it. Deletes the selected schedule. Opens a window for modifying the title and/or type of the selected schedule. Copies the selected schedule to the Windows Clipboard. Schedule tab Lists the existing schedule data. There are Start Time, End Time, Start Date, End Date, and Days columns on the list, showing which schedule will be used when. And color tiles are shown in the Color column so that you can recognize the background color used in the View Schedule window to indicate the day(s) on which a schedule will be used for playout. Edit Schedule window The Edit Schedule window is used to create and edit schedules, by specifying playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands, in the respective columns, according to the desired time table. 2 Information on the schedule Pastes the schedule stored on the Windows Clipboard as a new schedule. By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new schedule based on an existing schedule. Button Description 3 Schedule a Toolbar Provides the following buttons that correspond to the functions related to schedule editing. Clears the displayed schedule and starts creating a new schedule. Saves the displayed schedule. Saves the displayed schedule as a new one, with a new index number. The Schedule Properties window appears when this button is clicked. Enables you to edit labels for the colors used on the calendar in the View Schedule window. The Information on Schedule window, in which you can edit the labels, appears when this button is clicked. b Information on the schedule Shows the index number and title of the displayed schedule. The VSPA-D7 software manages schedule data classified by player groups. To create a new schedule, select the target player group using the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. When editing an existing schedule, the content of the schedule selected in the Content Management window is displayed in this window. The Edit Schedule window consists of the following three parts: c Schedule A schedule, a list that consisting of playlists, extra audio lists, and control commands to be played on a player, is displayed. In each cell in which a playlist, extra audio list, or control command is specified, its title is displayed. When you move the mouse pointer over a title, a popup window showing the index number, type, title, and duration appears. The Start Time column shows the operation hours of the players, that is, the time when the players are powered on. Depending on the system setting, the time when the players are powered off is shown by a red background color. To create a schedule, drag the desired playlists/extra audio lists/control commands from the Content Management window and then drop them onto the 50 The Edit Schedule Window Set

51 list. They will be played at the times shown in the Start Time column of the lines. When editing a schedule, such as modifying the start time or deleting a playlist, right-click the desired item and then select the desired command from the popup menu. Notes When both a playlist and extra audio list are specified to be played, sound accompanying the video will not be output while separate audio material is played. However, sound accompanying Flash files and web pages will be mixed with audio material and output. When the microphone of the IP camera used is set to on, too, its sound will be mixed and output. A red line in the Edit Schedule window, if any, indicates the time when the players are powered off. You cannot specify any playlists, extra audio lists, or control commands on such a line. View Schedule window The View Schedule window displays which schedule will be used for playout on which days on a calendar. The window has the following parts: 3This Month button 1 Month and year dropdown list boxes 2 Previous and next month buttons c This Month button Selects and displays the current month. d Calendar Displays the schedules of the month created for the group selected by the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. Non playout days are displayed in red, and other days for which no schedule is created are displayed in black. The days for which a schedule has already been created are displayed in white on a color that has been selected when the schedule was created. The eight background colors can be labelled and assigned to each schedule to classify schedules. See the labels of the background colors shown at the bottom of the window. Pointing to a day for which a schedule has been specified with a mouse triggers a popup window with detailed information on the schedule. e Current date and time Displays the current date and time of the PC where the VSPA-D7 software is operating. The date and time format is always mmm. DD, YYYY here, such as Dec. 10, 2007 regardless of the Windows regional option settings. f Information on background color Displays the labels for the respective background color used on the calendar. To edit a label, use the button on the Edit Schedule window toolbar. Chapter 6 Schedule 4Calendar 5Current date and time 6 Information on background color a Month and year drop-down list boxes Specifies the month to be displayed in the window. Selecting a month or a year with the appropriate dropdown list box switches the displayed month. b Previous and next month buttons Selects and displays the previous or next month. The Edit Schedule Window Set 51

52 Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set Menus in the Content Management Window Right-clicking on the Schedule tab of the Content Management window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for a schedule. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the Content Management window toolbar. Item Description Title text box Title of the selected schedule (up to 40 characters). When no title is specified, the date and time when the schedule is saved will be the title. You can identify schedules by the type and title. Color drop-down list box Time and Period Day of the Week check boxes The color used for the selected schedule in the View Schedule window. Period and time when the selected schedule will be used for playout. Day(s) of the week in the specified period on which the selected schedule will be used for playout. Chapter 6 Schedule See Menus in the Content Management Window on page 36, Menus in the Content Management Window on page 42, and Menus in the Content Management Window on page 47 for details on the menus when the Control, Playlist, or Extra Audio List tab is selected, respectively. Edit command Displays the content of the selected schedule in the Edit Schedule window for editing. Properties command Displays the following Schedule Properties window of the selected schedule. Modify the items as you desire, then click [OK]. Specify No Playout Day command When there is a day on which no playout will be done on the players in the selected group, you can define that day as a no playout day. The defined no playout day is indicated in red on the calendar in the View Schedule window, so that you can easily distinguish it from a day for which a playout schedule has not yet been created. The following No Playout Day Settings window appears when this command is selected. Specify the items in the following list, then click [OK]. Item Period Day of the Week check boxes Description Period when no playout should be done. The days which are checked as explained below in the specified period will be no playout days. Day(s) of the week in the specified period on which no playout should be done. Item Description Type text box Type of the selected schedule (up to 20 characters). It will be left blank when you don t enter any text. Delete command Deletes the selected schedule. When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the schedule. 52 Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set

53 Change Delete Date command Opens the following Change Delete Date window in which you can specify a date when the selected schedule will be deleted automatically from players. See Creating a Schedule on page 25 for details on creating a new schedule. Save command Saves the displayed schedule with the same index number as before. Select one of the option buttons, then click [OK]. When you select Clear Date, the Delete Date specified for the selected schedule, if any, will be cleared. When you select Change Date, specify a date using the Delete Date drop-down list box, which appears on the right. Note Note that, the delete date setting is effective only if the automatic deletion of content from the players feature is enabled in the System Setup window, and this setting has been sent to the players. See the VSP-NS7 Setup Instructions for details on this option. Copy command Copies the selected schedule to the Windows Clipboard. Paste command Pastes the schedule stored on the Windows Clipboard to the Content Management window as a new schedule. By using the copy and paste functions, you can create a new schedule based on an existing schedule. Schedules can be copied to a different player group, provided the resolution settings of the two player groups are identical. Menus in the Edit Schedule Window Right-clicking in the Edit Schedule window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for the displayed schedule. New - Clear command Clears the displayed schedule to start creating a new schedule. If the currently displayed schedule has not been stored, a message appears, asking whether you want to discard it. Save the schedule, if necessary. Save with New Index commands Saves the displayed schedule as a new one, with a new index number. When this command is selected, the Schedule Properties window appears. Specify each item in the window, and click [OK]. See Properties command on page 52 for details on the Schedule Properties window. Undo command Cancels the last edit operation in the Edit Schedule window. Cut command Moves the selected line or item to the Windows Clipboard and removes it from the schedule. Copy command Copies the selected line or item to the Windows Clipboard. Paste command Pastes the line or item stored on the Windows Clipboard to the specified position. Clear Content command, Delete command Both commands delete the selected line or item from the schedule. The Clear Content command leaves the blank resulting from the deletion as it is, but the Delete command moves the lines/items below upwards, so that there will be no blank. Insert command Opens the Insert window. Specify a duration in the Insert window, and click [OK]. This will insert a blank line or cell of the specified duration before the selected line or item. Change Start Time command, Change End Time command Opens the Change Start Time window or Change End Time window. Specifying the desired time in the window Chapter 6 Schedule Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set 53

54 and clicking [OK] sets the start time or end time of the selected item, such as playlist or extra audio list, to that time. Change Duration command, Change Interval command The Change Duration command opens the Change Duration window to modify the playout duration of the selected item. If you specify the duration as 30 minutes for a playlist that takes 20 minutes for playout, the playlist will be played one and half times on the players, hence playout will be stopped in the middle of the second time. The Change Interval command modifies the duration of a blank cell between two items in the same column. Menus in the View Schedule Window There are no menus provided in the View Schedule window. Chapter 6 Schedule 54 Functions of the Edit Schedule Window Set

55 Distribution 7 Chapter The Send Content Window Set Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Send Content window set. Notes This button appears only when the send content feature is enabled in the Options Setup window. It does not appear with the initial settings. Normally, it is recommended that you distribute schedules, not discrete content. When distributing a schedule, the VSPA-D7 software simultaneously distributes the materials and playlists required for the scheduled playout, if they have not yet been stored on the players. The following illustration shows an example of the Send Content window set. It consists of the Content Management window and VSP-NS7 Status window. Content Management window Chapter 7 Distribution VSP-NS7 Status window The Send Content Window Set 55

56 Content Management window The Content Management window in the Send Content window set shows the registered materials, created playlists, and extra audio lists (if audio material is used) on the respective tabs. Also, this window provides a Group drop-down list box and [Send] at the top, so that you can select the destination group and distribute the selected content. See Content Management window on page 34, Content Management window on page 40, and Content Management window on page 45 for details on the tabs of the Content Management window. Mark Description An error was detected during distribution. Distribution succeeded. The Erroneous Index column shows the index numbers of the content items that were being distributed when the errors occurred. VSP-NS7 Status window The VSP-NS7 Status window lists the players in the group selected with the Group drop-down list box of the Content Management window. It enables you to check the status and distribution progress of each player. The VSP-NS7 Status window consists of the following three parts: 1 Group Status 2 Cancel button 3 Player list Chapter 7 Distribution a Group status Indicates the status of the player group. b Cancel button Cancels distribution currently being performed. c Player list Shows information on each player in the selected group. The following mark may appear in the Result column. Mark Description The VSPA-D7 software is configured not to communicate with this player. This configuration is provided in the Maintenance window. See Stop Trying Communication command, Resume Trying Communication command on page 67 for details. Now communicating with the player, or waiting for communication with the player. 56 The Send Content Window Set

57 Functions of the Send Content Window Set Use Built-in Screen Saver command Cancels the current assignment of the user screen saver playlist. Players will use the built-in screen saver, if there is no user screen saver assigned. Menus in the Content Management Window Right-clicking on a tab of the Content Management window displays a context-menu to provide functions you can use for an item on the tab. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the Content Management window toolbar. Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window The VSP-NS7 Status window provides no menus. See Menus in the Content Management Window on page 36, Menus in the Content Management Window on page 42, and Menus in the Content Management Window on page 47 for information on the commands other than the following. Send command Starts distribution of selected items, such as pieces of material or playlist, to the players in the selected group. See Distributing Content to Players on page 27 for details. Send as Substitute for Missing Material command Specifies the selected item as substitute graphics, that is a piece of graphics material to be displayed instead of missing or erroneous material upon playout on a player. This command appears when the Graphics tab is selected. See Specifying Substitute Graphics on page 30 for details. Chapter 7 Distribution Cancel Assignment of Substitute Graphics command Cancels the current assignment of substitute graphics. This command appears when the Graphics tab is selected. Send as User Screen Saver command Specifies the selected playlist as the user screen saver, if the selected playlist consists of Graphics material on the Background layer. This command appears when the Playlist tab is selected. See Specifying a Screen Saver on page 29 for details. Functions of the Send Content Window Set 57

58 The Send Schedule Window Set Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Send Schedule window set. The following illustration shows an example of the Send Schedule window set. The window consists of the Content Management window, VSP-NS7 Status window, and Sending Status of Group window. Content Management window VSP-NS7 Status window Sending Status of Group window Chapter 7 Distribution Content Management window The Content Management window in the Send Schedule window set has a Schedule tab only. The window provides a Group drop-down list box and [Send] at the top, so that you can select the destination group and distribute the selected schedules. The window enables you to stop playout on the players by deleting the schedule currently used for playout from the players. Toolbar The following two buttons appear on the toolbar when the Send Schedule window set is displayed. Schedule tab See Content Management window on page 49 for details on the Schedule tab. VSP-NS7 Status window The VSP-NS7 Status window lists the players in the group selected with the Group drop-down list box of the Content Management window. It enables you to check the status and distribution progress of each player. See VSP-NS7 Status window on page 56 for details. Button Description Deletes the selected schedule from the VSPA-D7 software. Deletes the selected schedule from the players in the selected group. This is mainly used for deleting the schedule currently used for playout, and stopping scheduled playout as a result. See Stopping Scheduled Playout on page 29 for details of this operation. Sending Status of Group window In the Sending Status of Group window, you can check the playout and no playout days, and whether a schedule has already been distributed for each day. The window has the following parts: 58 The Send Schedule Window Set

59 1 Month and year dropdown list boxes 2 Previous and next month buttons Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set 3This Month button 4Calendar 5Current date and time Menus in the Content Management Window Right-clicking on the Schedule tab of the Content Management window displays a context-menu to provide the following commands. Some of the commands also appear as buttons on the Content Management window toolbar. a Month and year drop-down list boxes Specifies the month to be displayed in the window. Selecting a month or a year with the appropriate dropdown list box switches the displayed month. b Previous and next month buttons Selects and displays the previous or next month. c This Month button Selects and displays the current month. d Calendar Displays the schedules of the month created for the group selected by the Group drop-down list box in the Content Management window. Non playout days are displayed in red, and the other days for which no schedule is created are displayed in black. It shows the status of the schedule specified for each day by background color. The meanings of the background colors are described at the bottom of the window. Pointing to a day for which a schedule has been specified with a mouse triggers a popup window with detailed information on the schedule. e Current date and time Displays the current date and time of the PC where the VSPA-D7 software is operating. The date and time format is always mmm. DD, YYYY here, such as Dec. 10, 2007 regardless of the Windows regional option settings. Delete command Deletes the selected schedule. When you execute this command, a confirmation message appears. Click [Yes] to delete the schedule. Send command Starts distribution of the selected schedule to the players in the selected group. See Distributing Schedules to Players on page 26 for details. Delete Schedule from VSP-NS7 command Deletes the selected schedule from the players in the selected group. This command is used for deleting the schedule currently used, and stopping scheduled playout as a result. See Stopping Scheduled Playout on page 29 for details. Menus in the VSP-NS7 Status Window The VSP-NS7 Status window provides no menus. Menus in the Sending Status of Group Window Right-clicking a day for which a schedule has been created on the calendar shows a context-menu that includes the following commands. Chapter 7 Distribution Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set 59

60 Send command Starts distribution of the schedule for the selected day to the players in the selected group. Delete Schedule from VSP-NS7 command Deletes the schedule of the selected day from the players in the selected group. This command is used for deleting the schedule currently used, and stopping scheduled playout as a result. Chapter 7 Distribution 60 Functions of the Send Schedule Window Set

61 Other Operations 8 Chapter The Interrupt Playback Window Set Clicking the button of the operation guide displays the Interrupt Playback window set. The following illustration shows an example of the Interrupt Playback window set. It consists of the Content Management window and VSP-NS7 Communication Status window. Content Management window VSP-NS7 Communication Status window Chapter 8 Other Operations Content Management window The Content Management window in the Interrupt Playback window set shows the registered materials and created playlists on the respective tabs. Also, this window provides a Group drop-down list box and two buttons, [Play] and [Stop] at the top, so that you can select the destination group and content, and perform interrupt playback. The operation on the players when interrupt playback is performed varies, depending on the content selected for interrupt playback. When a piece of text or audio material is selected, the playout being performed on each player at that time will continue. However, the text or audio material currently The Interrupt Playback Window Set 61